Stafford News & Notes

Volunteers needed at government center
Stafford is looking for a few good volunteers to help at the county’s government center.

Volunteers work at the visitor’s desk at the administration center at Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) and Courthouse Road (Va. 630), from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Volunteers answer questions from visitors face to face or on the telephone, monitor visitors to the government center and keep staff aware of any questions or concerns.

Volunteers must be at least 18-years-old, have basic computer skills, be able to interact with visitors, have a positive and friendly attitude, and have proper telephone etiquette.

Training will be provided, according to a county news release.

Applications to become a volunteer can be found on the county’s website under the Citizen Assistance and Volunteer Services section, or the can be picked up at the county government center.

For more information, please contact Jeff Shover, Citizen Assistance and Volunteer Services Manager, at 540-658-4516 or by email at [email protected].

Stafford awards money for permanent Germanna campus
Stafford’s Economic Development Authority awarded Germanna Community College $1 million to purchase land for a permanent campus in Stafford County.

The community college currently has a location inside the Aquia Park shopping center at 2761 Jeff Davis Highway.

The money was awarded last week during party at Riverside Center in south Stafford to celebrate the county’s latest economic report, which shows Stafford with the second highest job growth rate in Virginia and the fourth highest business growth rate in the state between 2005 and 2010, according to a press release issued by county officials.

The celebration lunch was held as part of Business Appreciation Week, designated by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell to be held between May 2 and 6.

Stafford and Fredericksburg reduce and recycle
Stafford County and Fredericksburg both get high marks on recycling.

Both localities exceeded the state’s recycling mandate of recycling 25 percent of all waste generated.

Residents and businesses recycled 57 percent of waste generated in both localities since 2010, according to a press release.

The information is compiled by the Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management (R-Board), which also says the recycling rate exceeds that of the entire region.

Stafford and Fredericksburg recycled 104,948 tons of waste last year, a 2.3 percent increase over the previous year, officials say.

Officials say programs to raise awareness about recycling and composting, tours of the landfill, and educational classes on waste management have all helped to increase the amount of recycled material.